Martin J. Finerty Jr.

Martin J. Finerty Jr., Captain USN (ret) Capt. Martin (Marty) J. Finerty Jr. died on September 9 in Annapolis, Md., following a long illness. He was 80 years old. He was born July 22, 1936, in Wilmington, Del., to Jane and Martin Finerty. He was a graduate of Wilmington High School and the Columbian Preparatory School. He entered the United States Naval Academy in June 1955, where he was a member of the 10th Company and earned a varsity letter in lacrosse. Capt. Finerty's military career spanned three decades. Following graduation in 1959, he served tours on the USS Canberra, USS Long Beach, USS Wilkinson, USS San Pablo, USS Norfolk and the Systems Analysis Division (OPNAV). In 1971, he was selected as one of 40 officers to create an Oceanography specialist community. Assignments followed as Commanding Officer, Oceanographic Unit Five on USNS Harkness, AGS-32; Director Polar Programs, Office of the Oceanographer; Special Assistant for Oceanography to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research and Development); Special Assistant for Oceanography to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Undersea Warfare; Director of Plans, Requirements and Operations, Naval Oceanographic Office; and Commanding Officer of the Polar Oceanographic Center as well as the Director of the National Ice Center. In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from USNA, he held a Master of Science degree in physical oceanography from the University of Miami, Fla., and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He retired from the Navy in June 1985, 30 years to the month that he entered the Naval Academy. Civilian employment included Program Officer for the Marine Board of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences; Assistant Director of Research, American Society of Mechanical Engineers; and Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Marine Technology Society. In addition, he served as a senior member on the editorial board of Compass Publications. He was a Fellow of the Marine Technology Society and was included in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering for many years. Capt. Finerty’s support of the Naval Academy and the midshipmen who entered after him were unwavering. He was a Candidate Guidance Officer in the "Blue and Gold" program and an usher in the USNA Chapel. He was a life member of the Alumni and Athletic Association and a Trustee in the Athletic and Scholarship Program. From 1970-74 he served as secretary for the Class of 1959 and wrote a column for Shipmate magazine. He was the director for the Link in the Chain program for the class of 2009, the class 50 years behind his graduating class. One of his most amazing skills was his ability to recall almost any statistic or fact relating to Navy athletics. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan; two daughters, Laura Finerty and Nancy Crutcher (Paul); two grandsons, David Crutcher and Robert Crutcher (Alice); and two sisters, Harriet Finerty and Ellen Lynch. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 12, at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, with internment to follow at the USNA columbarium. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the USNA Academy Foundation (Athletic Excellence Sustainment Fund) or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, N.Y, N.Y. 10001.